(Image source from: REUTERS)
India is set to obtain its first shipment of crude oil from Iran in seven years, following a temporary lift of US sanctions on Iranian oil and refined products to tackle supply shortages. This information comes from a Reuters report that cites ship tracking data from LSEG and Kpler. The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), which is the largest refiner in the country, has ordered the cargo currently on board the large crude carrier Jaya, which is sailing towards India's east coast and is anticipated to arrive later this week. The report highlighted that the Jaya had originally headed to Southeast Asia for unloading in China before changing its course to India. Additionally, LSEG tracking revealed that another ship, Jordan, has indicated India as its unloading destination. This shipment marks an important change in India's energy sourcing, as they had stopped purchasing Iranian crude after US sanctions were imposed in 2019.
Two Indian-flagged ships, which are carrying over 60,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), have successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz and are on track to reach India this week. Mukesh Mangal, the Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, mentioned during an inter-ministerial briefing on April 6 that the vessels Green Sangvi and Green Asha have significant LPG loads. "In the last two days, two Indian-flagged ships, the Green Sangvi and Green Asha, carrying LPG, have safely navigated the Strait of Hormuz. The Green Sangvi holds about 46,000 metric tonnes of LPG and has 25 Indian sailors aboard, while the Green Asha carries 15,000 metric tonnes of LPG with 26 sailors," Mangal stated. He noted that these vessels are part of a larger group of Indian-flagged ships operating in the Western Persian Gulf. "The Green Sadhvi is expected to arrive by April 7, and the Green Asha by April 9," he mentioned, though he cautioned that these times might change.
Currently, there are 16 Indian-flagged vessels in the Western Persian Gulf region, with a total of 433 Indian sailors aboard. This includes crude carriers, LPG ships, container vessels, bulk carriers, a chemical tanker, and a dredger. "The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is actively tracking shipping activities, port operations, and the safety of Indian nationals. The Ministry is working to ensure that maritime trade continues," Mangal said. "All Indian citizens in this area are safe. In the past 24 hours, there have been no reported incidents with Indian-flagged vessels," he added. He also mentioned that authorities are making sure that normal port operations are running smoothly across the nation. "The DG Shipping has successfully facilitated the safe return of over 1,599 Indian seafarers, including 180 who returned in the last 24 hours from different areas in the Gulf,” he shared. The Green Asha is one of several Indian-flagged LPG carriers that have passed through the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict in West Asia increased in late February.
Previously, around 47,000 metric tonnes of LPG reached the Vadinar Terminal in Jamnagar, Gujarat, on the vessel MT Jag Vasant, where the cargo was transferred using a ship-to-ship method while at anchor. Officials mentioned that warships from the Indian Navy were ready to assist merchant ships in the area, and ongoing coordination involves the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the Ministry of External Affairs, and other maritime parties. Authorities have confirmed that port activities in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry are running smoothly, ensuring that maritime trade continues without disruption despite issues in important shipping routes.
